Shooting fall portraits outdoors comes with its challenges, from managing shifting light to balancing the subject against vibrant backgrounds. Using high-speed sync and thoughtful lighting techniques, you can isolate your subject while keeping the rich details of the season intact.
Coming to you from John Gress, this insightful video walks through the process of shooting fall-themed portraits using high-speed sync and off-camera flash. Gress starts by selecting an octabox paired with the Elinchrom Five strobe for consistent and controlled light. By positioning the sun as a backlight to act as a natural hair light, he creates separation between the subject and the vibrant fall foliage. The strobe then illuminates the subject from the front, adding dimension and balancing the exposure.
Key to Gress' workflow is setting the background exposure first. He adjusts his shutter speed and ISO to properly expose the fall colors, then fine-tunes the strobe’s power to achieve the correct brightness for the subject. This step ensures the background remains soft and blurred while the subject stays sharp and well-lit. He shoots wide open at f/1.2 for maximum background separation.
Throughout the shoot, Gress adapts to shifting light conditions. Overcast moments call for tweaks to both shutter speed and strobe power to maintain the desired look. He also experiments with different compositions, using natural elements like trees and leaves to add depth and texture to the images. By holding a leaf in front of the lens, he creates a unique framing effect, demonstrating how simple props can add creative flair to your shots. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gress.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
